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hi,how do you work out what size panel you need,my 748 has or will have 2 110AH batteries,also how do they work can they not over charge the batteries
How much money you got going spare?
To maximise any benefits of the Sun the only calculation is what you can afford. Start at 80 watts and work upwards the limiting factor being your roof space and wallet.
Yes you need a regulator or your panels wont know when your batteries are full and just keep giving their all.
I have 1x80 and 1x60 with same batteries as you.
I have a 24 amp regulator which gives me spare capacity to add more panels later.
An 80 watt panel will keep your batteries full during storage even in winter but wont be good enough to wildcamp for long. The weather we've had this week is good and probably heralds good performance now until September.
Or as a rule of thumb have as many as you can get on the roof, but nothing under 80 watt panel there's plenty of reading, I have 250ah batteries and 2 120 panels in winter they are a waste of time if you need real power in this country, after say April to end of September they work for you.
I installed system powering an lcd tv and satellite receiver, it's powered by a 120ah battery with a regulator and a unit which cuts the battery off if it's output drops too low. It never does cut off even with our dull winters.
The question of size very much depends upon what it is you want to power. We wild camp mostly, but only need solar to power the tv (built in freeview) and/or satellite receiver when abroad or places where the digital signal has not been switched on yet.
It's like they say - Size isn't everything, it depends what you do with it
Hi.
Know nothing about the electro-magicals,but,had an 80w? solar panel on both m/homes,and it did seem to keep the batteries,"Healthy",however,we did not have the TV on much,so i would think that 80 whatevers,is the least you should have.Hope this helps.
Ted
I have 2 100W panels which one August on the French Med coast provided all the electricity we needed. Other than that they just top up whats there from the engine or help when hooked up.
In the future I will cover the roof in panels, as has been said the only reason not to is £££, or you only wild camp so far north they won't produce enough to be worth it.
Jason
______________________________________________________________ Small steps
Nothing less than 80Watt is worth doing. Over that as much as money / roof space and weight will allow. I always aim for Watts = AH of the batteries. This wasn't achievable before as I had 880AH of battery. No I am down to 440AH I am aiming for 400Watts of solar if I can make the space.
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